Bridal Veil Falls Letterbox
Placed by ~ Mischief ~ on 10-06-02

         

Location - Bridal Veil Falls
State - Washington
County - Snohomish
Town - Gold Bar
Number of boxes: 1

Clues - Easy. Straight forward directions.

Distance: 4.2 miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: Approximately 1800 - 2000 feet

Time to complete - 2.5 hours (round trip)

Trek - Long, continuously up hill hike.  Very rocky path and many streams to cross.  I recommend having boots or shoes with good ankle support, and a walking stick.

Weather Factors - Very muddy and slippery in places when wet.

Kids and Dogs - Dogs... Yes, bring em!  Kids... this is a tough hike.  There are places on the hike (and at the falls) where there are very dangerous drop offs.  There are also plenty of places to twist an ankle, or bang an knee.  You know your kids.... use your best judgment....  BE SURE to keep an eye on em.

Notes:
Bridal Veil Creek runs out of Cliff-ringed Lake Serene and launches down the valley wall in several large falls before joining the Skykomish River. Though never officially measured, the falls drop well over 1000 feet from it's source in Lake Serene.  The two main tiers that are visible account for around 600 feet of the falls' height, but since the pieces of the falls visible from the trail are so close to the trail, not all of each section of the falls are visible from the bottom.  This is a tough hike, but the falls are SO worth it.

Bring:

  • Spare set of dry shoes and socks.  Keep these in the car, there is a good chance you'll get your feet wet crossing at least one of the many streams on this hike.  I don't know about you, but I hate having cold soggy feet.
  • Camera. Trust me on this!!
  • Lunch.  The falls just beg for a nice bagged lunch
  • Compass.  You can do without it, but having one will be a little easier.
  • Binoculars.  Not a must.

Directions:
Drive East on State Highway 2.  Go thru the town of Gold Bar, and continue east for another 6.4-ish miles.  Look for mile marker 35.   Take a right onto Mt Index Road (very shortly after mile marker 35).  Take the right fork to the Lake Serine Trailhead.  Park here

         

To the box:
Look for the Road Closed gate behind all the signage in the parking area.  Start up the trail behind that gate.  You will hike a very long way up this trail crossing many streams, and going... up... Up... UP hill.  Eventually you will come to a brown "hiker guy" sign.  Follow the arrow, and continue on the main trail (140º). 

Look for another brown "hiker guy" sign, and follow the arrow (160º) along the main trail.    You should definitely hear the falls from here...  Keep hiking.

Next you'll find a small wooden sign at a fork in the trail.  The sign should read <-- Lake Serine 2 / Bridal Veil Falls 1/2 -->  Take the right fork... up hill.

Soon you'll come to the first in an amazing number of wooden steps.  Keep going... up.... Up.... UP.  On your way you'll pass a clearing in the trees that gives way to a stunning view of the valley below and some not so distance mountain peaks.  (Got your binoculars and camera?) 

Keep hiking up, it gets really rocky up here, so be careful.  There are parts here were you wonder if you are even on a trail... you are... keep going.  You will eventually reach the falls.  Stunning isn't it?

Catch your breath, and without leaving the trail locate the "Falling is Deadly" sign.  From here, follow the path SW-ish (225º) to a boardwalk.  Count the boards to board #10.  Look on the right (NW) side for the letterbox hiding under some bark, just under the edge of the boardwalk.

Stay a while, take some pictures (send me some) and eat your lunch (You Earned It).  When you're ready, head back the way you came.... almost entirely DOWN HILL.

         
Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.